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The first time it happened with me it sure didn’t happen like in the movies. In my early teens I had imagined some day in the future when several family members would all convene in some lawyer’s office waiting for the reading of a will, just like on television. “What will I inherit?” I would think. Land, a car, furniture, money?
I was around 13 the first time I remember ever receiving something from a family member’s estate. It happened nothing like in the movies. I received a suitcase that my grandfather’s brother had owned. I barely knew this relative but my grandfather thought that I could make use of the suitcase and so it became mine. It was a good one and I used it for many years. But eventually it had to be discarded.
Since then other relatives have passed on, but I no longer have those initial thoughts of inheritance. No longer do I worry or think about this item or that item. Sure, some things would be nice to have for sentimental reasons. But after all, it is all just stuff. It all fades away eventually. Much more important is the treasured memories of that person.
Peter speaks of our eternal inheritance in 1 Peter 1:3-9. In this passage he brings several key points for us to consider.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.
Let’s pull out a few of the points here. First of all, our inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled and does not fade away. Unlike that old suitcase or a piece of furniture, our eternal inheritance can not be diminished in its value. It will not be tainted or stolen.
Secondly, this inheritance is reserved in heaven for us. In John 14:2 Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us. We can be assured that our spiritual inheritance awaits us in heaven. It is being held, in reserve, for the faithful.
Third, there are some valleys and trials to endure in this world before we receive that inheritance. Paul stated in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But whatever valleys we encounter in this life, the promise of that eternal inheritance will make it all worth while.
Fourth, the trials we face will make us better. Like gold that is more valuable after having been tried in the fire, we also will be stronger and better able to praise, honor and glorify Jesus Christ in our faithful living.
Fifth, even though we have not seen Jesus, we still have faith in Him. Why do we trust Him so? Because we believe that He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and to willingly lay down His life (John 10:17-18) as a payment for our sins (Rom. 5:8; John 3:16.)
Sixth, this love that we have for Jesus is full of inexpressible joy and full of glory. How can we adequately express our love and joy for someone who died in our place? We can’t find the words or actions that completely express this on our behalf. But we do have a means by which we give glory to God and to Jesus for the salvation they offer. We obey them in all that they ask. We follow them everywhere they lead. We trust them with all of our loyalty. We share them with all those we meet.
What will we inherit when this life is over? If faithful as Christians, we can look forward to an inheritance unlike anything we could ever imagine.
On Our Daily Walk today, may we take the time today to more fully appreciate one another as friends, family and co-workers. May we burn with the desire to share the news of our great inheritance with them in hopes that they will also claim it for eternity.
Our thought for the day: “My great concern is not whether God is on our side; my great concern is to be on God’s side.” Abraham Lincoln
May God bless you on your daily walk.
© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.
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